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Inmates look to the future as they graduate Culinary Arts program

Posted: Sep 14 2017 04:16PM CDT

Video Posted: Sep 14 2017 04:16PM CDT

DETROIT, Mich. -

Prisons aren’t typically known for their food, but a program at the Ryan Corrections Facility in Detroit is teaching Inmates the recipe for success. They’re graduating after spending four weeks learning about the food service industry as part of Operation Able.

It’s a program that teaches inmates skills that will help them find good jobs upon release.

Inmates like Mark Logan. "When I heard about culinary arts I thought it was something that could build my career and get me a good paying job," he told FOX 2.

On graduation day, the men were proud to show off those skills to prison and city employees, and even the mayor.

“We are going to keep opening restaurants in Detroit, but we need skilled workers, we need chefs, we need people who work hospitality, and the like,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. “And so when I heard about this graduation, I just wanted to come by and talk to these young men and let them know their are job opportunities out there if they stick with it."

The mayor’s office says of the 161 prisoners who took part in the job placement program,25 are in food service and seven of those currently have full time jobs.

"When they get out they can work right away and one thing we know is restaurants tend to be friendly to those with a record," said Mary McDougall, the Executive Director Operation Able of Michigan.

Watch the video to see how Operation Able is helping these men move forward.